Don’t drive a 2021 LOL

I am a finance manager at a large Ford dealership in NH and we received a 2021 Ford Raptor in Antimatter that I had put my name on subject to a test drive. All I can say is wow!!! I had a 2019 Raptor that I traded for a Superduty 7.3 gas and just wasn’t happy with it so I traded back for the 2021. The between the G2 and G3 difference is night and day. The exhaust sounds amazing, the tech and interior are light years ahead, the ride is so improved it’s hard to explain and the power comes on much faster especially off the line. The tranny is much better sorted out with quick, hard but smooth uphifts in sport mode and super smooth shifts in regular mode. Don’t fool yourself into thinking there isn’t much difference because it truly is the next level the G2 was awesome but the G3 is more awesome LOL.

Not sure what is happening here...

Amazing how different everyone's perspectives are. I just test drove a 21 with 37" package today, and was underwhelmed. The interior is no doubt an upgrade, and I liked the rear end with coils more than springs. That being said, it wasn't night and day, it was exciting and new. But felt like a very incremental improvement, definitely not enough to move me out of my 2020 yet. I will like "upgrade" in 2023 or so, but I didn't feel like the Gen 3 was as phenomenal as some people say, though it may be hyperbole. A great truck, and no doubt an improvement, but not what I had been lead to believe. And yes, that's my opinion I understand everyone has one. Just my .02 for anyone on the forum interested in a relatively unbiased opinion.

DFS said:

Amazing how different everyone's perspectives are. I just test drove a 21 with 37" package today, and was underwhelmed. The interior is no doubt an upgrade, and I liked the rear end with coils more than springs. That being said, it wasn't night and day, it was exciting and new. But felt like a very incremental improvement, definitely not enough to move me out of my 2020 yet. I will like "upgrade" in 2023 or so, but I didn't feel like the Gen 3 was as phenomenal as some people say, though it may be hyperbole. A great truck, and no doubt an improvement, but not what I had been lead to believe. And yes, that's my opinion I understand everyone has one. Just my .02 for anyone on the forum interested in a relatively unbiased opinion.

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What about someone who doesn’t have a Gen2? Should I go Gen 3 all the way or buy a Gen 2 and save some money.

From what I hear, the rear end alone makes the jump worth it. Doesn’t the Gen 2 have a notorious rear end problem on bumps and such?

It's rather interesting how different the opinions are in the differences in the G2 and G3. Personally, I think the difference is night and day. I loved my G2, but I think the G3 is a sizable jump forward.

And to be honest, I was not expecting it to be. I originally felt underwhelmed by the styling and upgrades when the G3 was unveiled. However, after driving (and now owning) one, my original opinion was quickly changed.

The G2 is absolutely still an incredible truck, so I could see not upgrading if it isn't yet time for you to be in the market...

V8 goat you hit it right on the head!

4wheelinAZ said:

What about someone who doesn’t have a Gen2? Should I go Gen 3 all the way or buy a Gen 2 and save some money.

From what I hear, the rear end alone makes the jump worth it. Doesn’t the Gen 2 have a notorious rear end problem on bumps and such?

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I’d go G3 for the price difference unless you find a great deal on a G2. They are both awesome trucks but the G3 is the next evolution and it shows when you drive back to back

4wheelinAZ said:

What about someone who doesn’t have a Gen2? Should I go Gen 3 all the way or buy a Gen 2 and save some money.

From what I hear, the rear end alone makes the jump worth it. Doesn’t the Gen 2 have a notorious rear end problem on bumps and such?

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If I was you, I would try to drive both then decide based on your usage. I don't notice my Gen 2 rear end often, the only time really being on washboard roads. Depends on how you use the truck IMO. I'm gonna use my Gen2 for a couple more years and then go Gen3, right now for my daily driving and BLM/Forest service/ Mining roads, the Gen 3 wasn't a big enough upgrade for me. If you find a smoking deal on a Gen2 I'd start there, but with the market the way it is, I'd probably start with a Gen 3 if you can get one with no ADM.

Seems to me that the used Raptors are not substantially cheaper in the current market.

I test drove a G3 and did not think the drive was that much difference although the ride is a bit better.....that said the interior is leaps and bounds ahead of what my G2 was....grant it the G2 was an 800a with cloth seats and the G3 was 801a.....I did think my cloth seats had more bolstering but the G3 looks 10x better inside with less plastic look and much more tech....new touchscreen and cluster are beautiful